The latest marine business news from around the world

The environment is our main theme this week. As the dust settles on the decision to press ahead with the Coral Sea Conservation Zone, Marine Qld, the Boating and Fishing Council of Australia and other industry bodies have voiced their outrage toward the lack of industry consultation and consideration of the livelihoods of so many impacted by this decision.

It makes a mockery of the Bio-Regional Planning Process – a process supported by industry, the environmental lobby and Government.

Watch this space for up to the minute reports on what happens next and how it will impact Queensland and the rest of the country.

Also green-themed and just as controversial, is the chasm between OEDA and newly formed AMEC, concerning publicity outlining 2-stroke output data. While both camps defend their positions with zeal, is the consumer any the wiser?

Exec Officer of OEDA, Lindsay Grenfell reports a steady rate of enquiry from consumers confused about their outboards. 'They're asking if 2-stroke will be banned next year and what they should do,' he says. 'There is some alarm out there and it's not helping the industry at a time when boat and engine sales are crucial.'

Plenty of news, views and reviews this week, so catch up with marine business from around the world. And please feel free to send your own.

Jeni Bone, editor

The outboard debate: a matter of timing? Jeni Bone, There's friction again in the outboard industry, with comments from a representative of newly formed group AMEC sparking media and industry concern that “sensitive figures” could cause consumer confusion and harm outboard sales over summer.... [more]Onsend this story

National organisations team up for new power boat standard NMSC, The National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC), under successful arrangements with Standards Australia, has produced and published a new edition of the Australian Standard for the safety aspects of power boats.... [more]Onsend this story

Garrett loses the confidence of Australian fishers and boaters Dean Logan, The Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett on Tuesday night lost in the Senate with a tied vote over a motion to disallow the declaration of the Coral Sea as a Conservation Zone. The vote was tied 31/31 with Independent Senator Nick Xenophon agreeing to a last minute Government deal as the ALP gagged debate.... [more]Onsend this story

McNally new appointment for MerCruiser New Zealand Mercury Marine, Mark McNally has been appointed as MerCruiser's new Sales and Application Manager for New Zealand.... [more]Onsend this story

Improved boating infrastructure firmly on the agenda Shoemark & King, An improvement to Victoria's boating infrastructure was firmly on the agenda at the third biannual VECCI Victoria Summit held at Parliament House on Tuesday November 17.... [more]Onsend this story

High tech engine range keeps Yamaha ahead of the competition Yamaha Motors Australia, Lighter, Faster, Stronger: These are the three words that are generating red hot excitement in the marine industry following the release of a new generation of Yamaha outboards. Dubbed “Game Changers” in the US market, these engines have been built using innovative new material and processes bringing a fresh approach to the design of this next generation of outboards. The game has been changed for... [more]Onsend this story

Future of Superyachts Conference in Spain 2010 Quaynote, 5th Annual Future of Superyachts Conference is taking place on the 21st and 22nd June 2010 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.... [more]Onsend this story

Muir exports winch equipment to the Middle East Muir Engineering, Muir Engineering Pty Ltd has exported the first of its new range of winch equipment to the Middle East – the largest components the company designs and manufactures.... [more]Onsend this story

Special exclusion zones Sydney Harbour: Boxing Day and New Year's Eve NSW Maritime Media, To make sure these outings are unforgettable for all the right reasons and to ensure safe and enjoyable boating for all, NSW Maritime has again authorised special exclusion zones on the harbour and will be in enforcing the associated special restrictions, as well as the standard boating safety requirements and rules of the road... [more]Onsend this story

Storm Performance banks on Irish heritage Tracey Porter, Marine apparel goup Storm Performance has announced details of an aggressive expansion plan aimed at positioning its Dubarry label as the sector's leading footwear brand.... [more]Onsend this story

Navico scores again at METS Sandman PR, Adding to its impressive list of global accolades, Navico's BR24 Broadband Radar received the DAME award honourable mention for best product in marine electronics at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam last week...... [more]Onsend this story

Salthouse Marine launches their second Salthouse 68 Steven Bates, Salthouse Marine has launched its latest creation, a Salthouse 68 for a Perth client. The vessel named ‘SummerSalt' looks stunning with its ‘Midnight Blue' hull and white superstructure.... [more]Onsend this story

Port of Airlie formation complete Jeni Bone, The formation of the Port of Airlie Marina is now complete with substantial sheet piling positioned to shape the Marina walls. The Marina design and operation facilities are currently being finalised and construction of over 240 berths will commence early next year. Construction will include the installation of pontoons and navigation aids.... [more]Onsend this story

Tony Hambrook of Alloy Yachts wins ISS Leadership Award Jeni Bone, The International Superyacht Society's Annual Leadership Award honours an individual or company whose distinctive work and commitment to the industry has contributed to the growth of the superyacht community worldwide. For 2009, the award has been presented to Tony Hambrook of Alloy Yachts International.... [more]Onsend this story

Haines Hunter – you can't beat a classic! Sandman PR, Haines Hunter's Classic Series is a true ‘Aussie all-rounder', comprising models that are suitable for fishing or cruising. Combining the perfect balance of performance and stability, and designed to accept single or twin engine applications, the Classic Series 21° hull designs are the result of extensive research and development based on an intimate understanding of Australian water conditions.... [more]Onsend this story

211 Entrants and growing - offshore yachting event organisers dream Ocean Events Media, It's not often that a yachting event organiser is dealing with a potential fleet in the several hundreds rather than tens of entrants – and many months before entries close. Such is the case with the ‘2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and the ‘2011 Around Australia Ocean Rally'. Two major circumnavigations of Australia events overlapping.... [more]Onsend this story

Australia announces $439,928 funding for Historic Shipwreck protection Australian Goverment Media, Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett today announced funding of $439,928 for projects that will protect the nation's underwater cultural heritage. A total of 25 projects across Australia will receive funding under the Historic Shipwrecks Program.... [more]Onsend this story

Hon. Paul McLeay, MP appointed as Minister for NSW Ports and Waterways Neil Patchett, NSW Maritime has a new Minister for Ports and Waterways, the Hon. Paul McLeay, MP.... [more]Onsend this story

Strong sales for Jeanneau in North America Jeanneau America, Jeanneau sailboats reports strong sales following the conclusion of the fall shows in the US.... [more]Onsend this story

Phuket King's Cup 2009 heading for a record fleet Rob Kothe, The 2009 Phuket King's Cup fleet list is now heading towards 105 boats, a new record for this 23rd annual regatta. The latest entry list released last night by Regatta Director Simon James includes draft entries from a number of boats currently in transit. Notable amongst these is the new racing class GP42 owned by the King's Cup President Kevin Whitcraft and Sam Chan's TP52.... [more]Onsend this story

Marine Qld takes urgent action for Gold Coast boat owners GC Division Marine Qld, Following discussions with Mayor Ron Clark, Cr Grant Pforr and Gold Coast council officers last Friday, Marine Queensland today announced that it will press ahead with existing plans to establish a Marine Queensland Boat Club to represent the interests of the State's 230,000 registered boat owners, their families and watersport enthusiasts in general. This includes over 26,500 registered boat owne... [more]Onsend this story

Operation Lights results: Skippers need to smarten up at night Neil Patchett, “On the spot safety checks were carried out on a total of 785 boats across NSW, with a focus on navigation lights,” There was an excellent compliance result in Sydney with only one from 161 vessels failing the check for navigation lights. This compared with 13 failures from 187 checks on the North Coast and 6 failures from 145 checks on the South Coast, which is a disappointing result.... [more]Onsend this story

Multi million dollar marketing opportunity for $10k investment Jody O'Brien, Wild Thing Yachting, the owners of the world famous Super Maxi Wild Thing, (known as Skandia from 2000 to 2008 and 2003 line honours winner of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart) are offering the multi-million dollar naming rights package for the boat for just $10,000 !!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a simple deal and it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.... [more]Onsend this story

‘Connie' Ray – the passing of a legend Bob Wonders, Sea Ray's founder dies at 84 after heroic struggle with cancer. He was to build the Sea Ray into an industry leader before selling the then highly successful company in 1986 to its current owners, Brunswick Corporation, parent company of Mercury Marine.... [more]Onsend this story

Sturrocks undergoes strategic rebranding Tracey Porter, High profile lifestyle apparel retailer Sturrocks has undergone a major rebrand set to revolutionise the way it does business.... [more]Onsend this story

FLIR Systems wins DAME - Design Award METS 2009 Media Services, Bill Dixon, Chairman of the Jury of the DAME, presented the Award to the winner of the prestigious prize at the start of METS. The Overall Winner of the DAME Award 2009 is FLIR Systems from the Netherlands for the M-626L Series Thermal Night Vision System.... [more]Onsend this story

Coral Sea – No Consultation and No Debate. Now What? Marine Qld, Marine Queensland has expressed dismay at the Government response to Senator Boswell's disallowance motion on the Coral Sea Conservation Zone in the Senate yesterday evening.... [more]Onsend this story

Calendar encourages life jacket message BoatUS, Most boating parents tell their kids they have to wear their life jacket because it's the law. However, getting young boaters to embrace life jackets just got a little easier with the 2010 BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program Wall Calendar.... [more]Onsend this story

AIMEX AGM set for 27 Nov AIMEX, AIMEX will hold its AGM in Sydney, 27 Nov, reviewing 2009 and setting strategies in place for 2010.... [more]Onsend this story

Discover Boating NZ focuses on try before you buy in Jeni Bone, Launched in the first week of November, the New Zealand “Discover Boating” program will reach its public with a newspaper campaign in the Sunday Star Times, a user-friendly and entertaining website, including ‘boating babe', and an entirely different financial model from those use in the US and Australia.... [more]Onsend this story

Customised news feeds.

Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have asked can they received their own customised version of our Sail-World news feed. The answer is yes; customised in content, news category, for example dinghies, small keelboats or just monohull racing, or Region of the world and appearance.